Time switch with indexing means for programming

ABSTRACT

In a time switch having switch actuating cam means which remains quiescent until indexed, indexing means for programming the time switch including a rotatably driven program member and a selector member disposed side by side each having a series of arcuately spaced lobes. Each of the lobes of the program member have a selected axial length and axial position while the lobes of the selector member are on different axially spaced planes which extend through different number of lobes of the program member. The selector member is releasably interlocked to an indexing arm and is rotatable when released to position one of its lobes for engagement by a predetermined number of lobes of the program member.

v United States Patent.

Skarivoda [541 TIME SWITCH WITHINDEXING MEANS FOR PROGRAMMING [72] Inventor: Edwin Larry Manitowoc, Wis.

[73] Assignee: AMF Incorporated 221 Filed: June 23, 197 [211 Appl. No.1 155,763

Skarivoda,

[52] us. Cl ..-..74/3.s2, 200/38 D [51] lnt.Cl. .;.G05g 21/00" [58] Field of Search ..74/3.52-, 3.54, 3.5; 200/38 A, t 200/38 D, 38 DB [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,302,467 2/1967 Prosser ..74/3.5 3,396,585 8/1968 Kampas etal ..74/3.52 3,457,792 7/1969 Fleckensteirr. .:...74/3.52

[ 1 f Dec. 5,1972

Primary Examiner-Milton Kaufman Attorney-George W. Price et al.

[57] ABSTRACT In a time switch having switch actuating cam means which remains quiescent until indexed, indexing means for programming the time switch including a rotatably driven program member and a selector member disposed side by side each having a series of arcuately space-d lobes. Each of the lobes of the program memberhave a selected axial length and axial position while the lobes of the selector member are on different axially spaced planes which extend through different number of lobes of the program member,

The selector member is releasably interlocked to an indexing arm and is rotatable when released to position one of its lobes for engagement by a predeterminednumber of lobes of the program member.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDBEB' 51912 SHEET 1 0r 3 FIG.I

IN VENTOR. EDWIN L. 5K4 V004 BY I I) AGENT PATENTEDnEc 5 m2 3, 704,629

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32 42 EDWIN L. SKARIVODA B1 I y AGENT PATENTEDDEB 5 m2 3. 704,629

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' INVENTOR.

EDWIN L. SKARI ODA AGENT TIME SWITCH WITH INDEXING MEANS FOR PROGRAMMING This invention relates generally to time switches and more particularly toindexing means for programming such time switches.

Although the novel indexing means can find utility in I many environments, it is particularly adapted for programming a time. switch. Indexing and/or disabling means for programming time switches is not new as shown by U.-S. Pat. Nos. 2,988,608 to 'JJ. Everard,

' ble cam means CB.The number of switches and switch 3,248,493 to R.M.- Bassett and 3,297,838 to R.'D. Rulseht- It is common practice in programming means heretofore available to independently adjustfor each day or each time increment of the program period. In such arrangements, insertable pins or tabs are often lost or destroyed, and positionable tabs are often inadvertently moved'and the tionally changed, A

An object of the present invention is to provide an time switch program is unintenimproved indexing means for programming a time switch.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the foregoing indexing means having no removable parts and. not being subject to inadvertent change.

And another object of the present inventionis to provide the foregoing indexing means in which'only one releasable retained member is adjusted to change the programming provided by the indexing means. 7

The presentinvention contemplates an indexing means having a rotatably driven program member and a selector member each with an annular series of arcuately spaced lobes. The lobes of the program member being of selected axial lengths and positions, and the lobes of the selector member being offset axially from one another so that each of the selector member lobes when properly positioned will be 'contacted'by'a different number of program member lobes.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages'will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows, taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not to be construed as defining the limits of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a time switch made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the case removed and the mechanism of the time switch being indexed to its operating mode;

FIG. 3 is a side elevationalview of the time switch as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a developed view of the faces of the interengaging lobed members of the indexing mechanism.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a time switch T embodying the present invention is provided with a case C, a plate P releasably disposed in the case for supporting the time switch mechanism, and a base portion B of a suitable dielectric material connected to the bottom end of the supporting plate.

operating cams therefor, of course, are determined by the environment of the time switch T. When multiple sets of cams are required, they preferably are provided with meshing gears so that one cam meansdrives the other, as shown. In this instance, cam means CA is the driver and cam means CB is driven.

A motor M, mounted on the reverse side of the plate P, has an output shaft which extends. through the plate and isprovided with gear 'means' MG for driving the time switch mechanism and the novel indexing means IM through a gear-train GT. v,

When the time switch T is in use, the motor M runs continuously and drives the gear train GT as-will be further discussed. The cammeans CA, which is in its normal quiescent position, will not be driven by the gear train GT until indexing occurs and then will be driven through only one revolution back to its normal quiescent position. i

This will be more fully understood by referring also to FIG. 5. As shown, the cam means CA is provided with a gear 10 adapted to mesh and be driven by an output gear 15 of the gear train GT. Several teeth of the gear 10 are removed to provide a dwell 11 which when aligned with the teeth of the output gear 15 determines the normal quiescent position of the cam means CA.

The cam means CA'also is provided with a series of arcuately spaced rearwardly extending abutments or pins 12 each of which when properly positioned is adapted to be engaged and moved by the novel indexing means IM. Therefore, the cam means CA can be completely rotated in discrete steps by manually operating the indexing means IM. When the cam means CA is in its normal quiescent position, the uppermost one of the pins 12 is positioned to be engaged and moved by the indexing means IM. When this; occurs, the cam means CA starts to rotate causing the dwell 11 to be displaced and the teeth of gear 10 to mesh with the teeth of drive gear 15 and establish a driving connection to cause the cam means to rotate.

The gear train GT is provided with a second output gear 16 which is mounted on a shaft 17 and is' driven by a gear 18 through a one way clutch as indicated at 19. Because of the one way clutch 19, the output gear 16 can be rotated independently of the rest of the gear train GT by manually turning the shaft 17.

The novel indexing means is provided with a pair of lobed members 20 and 30 rotatably mounted side by side on fixed shafts 21 and 31, respectively. The lobed program member 20, provided with a gear 22 in mesh with output gear 16 is continously rotatably driven by themotor M through the gear train GT. It should be readily seen that the program member 20 can be rotated by turning the shaft 17 for manual operation of v the indexing means IM.

depending detent 32 adapted to be received in any aligned indent 42, and a recess 33 at its top to house a spring 34 for biasing the member 30 axially toward the arm 40. Therefore, the detent 32 disposed in an aligned indent 42 together with or under the force of spring 34 form a releasable interlock.

The enlarged end 41 of arm 40 also is provided with a finger or flange 43 which extends rearwardly through a slot PS in the plate P. As shown in FIG. 3, a spring 44 is connected at its ends to the plate P and finger 43 and biases the arm 40 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS; 1, 2 and 5, to a normal position where the finger 43 engages the end of the slot PS.

The other end of the arm'40 is provided with a pivotable contact 'member 45 which is biased by a spring against a stop 47-on the arm 40, as shown. The contact member 45 engages and moves the uppermost pin 12 which is disposed in its path of travel as the I be returned to its original position against the stop 47 by the spring 46. I

Also referring now to FIG. 6, the program member 20 is provided with a circular series of six trips or lobes 24 29 which extend outwardly from a circular face 23. The lobes 24 29 are equally spaced arcuately and have selected axial lengths which are selectively positioned axially-relative to the face 23. The distance between any two of the lobes 24 29 represents a discrete increment of time which, to facilitate description, will be considered as being one day. Therefore, the total program period or one'complete revolution of the program member 20 takes 6days.

The selector member 30 is provided witha circular series of four abutments or lobes 36 39 which extend outwardly from face 35. The circular faces 23 and are substantially coextensive axially while the lobes 36 39 are equally spaced arcuately and are disposed in different axially spaced planes.

With the selector or index member 30 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lobe 39 is positioned to be contacted by one or more of the lobes of the program or trip member 20. As shown in FIG. 6, the lobe 39 is disposed in a plane which extends through all of the lobes 24 29 therefore indexing will occur each of the 6 days.

If the selector member 30 is rotated to properly position the lobe 36 for use, indexing will occur only once every 6 days orthe day it is contacted by the lobe 24. With lobe 37 positioned for use, indexing will occur twice every 6 days or the days it is contacted by lobes 24 and 27. And, with the lobe 38 positioned for use, indexing will occur every other day or the days it is contacted by lobes 24, 26 and 28.

It should be understood that the numbers of lobes of each or both of the members 20 and 30 may be changed to get different variations. By changing the speed of rotation and/or the axial'lengths and locations of the lobes of the member 20, further variations are available.

To change or select the program of the time switch T, the selector member 30 is moved axially away from the index arm 40 against the bias of the spring 33. This removes the detent 32 from one of the indents 42 and the selector member 30 is free to be rotated relative to the arm 40 for positioning one of the lobes 36 39 for -use. Upon release of the member 30, it will move back against the arm 40 under the influence of the spring 34. The detent 32 will re-engage one of the indents 42 to again lock the member 30 and arm 40 together.

With the time switch T as shown in FIG. 1, energization will cause the motor M to start and rotatably drive, through the gear train GT, the program member 20 in a counterclockwise direction. The cam means CA and CB remain quiescent. As the program member 20 continues to'rotate, trip or lobe 24 engages and moves the lobe 39 causing the program member30 and indexing arm 40 to rotate clockwise against the bias of the spring 44 to a position as shown in FIG. 2.

As the arm 40 moves from its position in FIG. 1 to its position in FIG. 2, the contact member 45 engages and moves the uppermost pin 12 causing the cam means CA to rotate counterclockwise and the cam means CB to rotate clockwise from their quiescent positions as in FIG. 1 to their positions as in FIG. 2. This initial rotation of the cam means CA moves the dwell 11 out of position and causes the teeth of gears 10 and 15 to mesh. The motor M through the gear train GT now also rotatably drives the cam means CA and CB to operate switch means SA and SB as required.

Further rotation of the member 20 moves the trip 24 past the lobe 39 thereby freeing the member 30 and arm 40 to move in a counterclockwise direction due to the bias of the spring 44 to their starting positions as shown in FIG. 1. This movement of the arm 40 causes the contact member to engage the now uppermost pin 12 and pivot against the spring 46 as it moves past.

When the time switch T completes its cycle or when the cam means CA and CB have been driven through a complete revolution, the dwell 11 returns to its position adjacent gear 15 thereby disengaging the gear train GT from the cam means CA which again in its quiescent position. The motor M again drives only the program member 20. The time switch T will remain in this condition until the next succeeding trip or lobe, in this instance trip 24, engages the lobe 39 to again cause indexing.

Although but a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Various changes may also be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A time switch having drive means and normally quiescent cam means for actuating switch means when indexed, indexing means including:

a trip member rotatably driven by said drive means, having a circular face and a series of arcuately spaced trip portions extending outwardly from said face;

each of said trip portions being of a selected axial length and location relative to said face;

a rotatable index member having a circular face and a series of arcuately spaced lobes disposed in axially spaced planes each of which extends through a different number of said trip portions; spring means for biasing said index member to a normal position; each of said lobes when positioned to extend toward said trip member being engaged and moved by said trip portions through which its plane extends causing said index member to rotate against its springbias to an indexing position;

means for releasably connecting said index member to said spring means for permitting said index member to be rotated when released for selectively positioning one of said lobes for engagement by selected trip portions.

2. The time switch in accordance with claim 1, and

said drive means including a gear train having an output gear;

said trip member having a gear in mesh with said output gear; and

means for manually rotating said output gear independently of the rest of said gear train for manually operating said indexing means.

3. The time switch in accordance with claim 2, and

said gear train including another output gear; and

said cam meansincluding a gear adapted to mesh with said other gear and having a plurality of adjacent teeth removed therefrom providing a dwell defining the quiescent position of said cam means.

4. The time switch in accordance with claim 1, and

said cam means including an annular series of arcuately spaced abutments;

said indexing means including an arm mounted at one end for movement with said index member and being free at its other end, and

said free end engaging and moving the abutment closest to said index member for indexing said cam means when said arm moves with said index member from its normal to its indexing position.

5. The time switchin accordance with claim v4, and

said spring means includes a spring fixed at one end and connected to said arm at its other end.

6. The time switch in accordance with claim 5, and

said index member having a detent extending axially therefrom toward said arm,

said mounted end of said arm having an annular series of indents each being adapted to receive said detents; and

means for axially biasing said index member toward said arm.

7. The time switch in accordance with claim 6, and

said drive means including a gear train having an output gear;

said trip member having a gear in mesh with said output gear; and

. means for manually rotating said output gear inde- 

1. A time switch having drive means and normally quiescent cam means for actuating switch means when indexed, indexing means including: a trip member rotatably driven by said drive means, having a circular face and a series of arcuately spaced trip portions extending outwardly from said face; each of said trip portions being of a selected axial length and location relative to said face; a rotatable index member having a circular face and a series of arcuately spaced lobes disposed in axially spaced planes each of which extends through a different number of said trip portions; spring means for biasing said index member to a normal position; each of said lobes when positioned to extend toward said trip member being engaged and moved by said trip portions through which its plane extends causing said index member to rotate against its spring bias to an indexing position; means for releasably connecting said index member to said spring means for permitting said index member to be rotated when released for selectively positioning one of said lobes for engagement by selected trip portions.
 2. The time switch in accordance with claim 1, and said drive means including a gear train having an output gear; said trip member having a gear in mesh with said output gear; and means for manually rotating said output gear independently of the rest of said gear train for manually operating said indexing means.
 3. The time switch in accordance with claim 2, and said gear train including another output gear; and said cam means including a gear adapted to mesh with said other gear and having a plurality of adjacent teeth removed therefrom providing a dwell defining the quiescent position of said cam means.
 4. The time switch in accordance with claim 1, and said cam means including an annular series of arcuately spaced abutments; said indexing means including an arm mounted at one end for movement with said index member and being free at its other end, and said free enD engaging and moving the abutment closest to said index member for indexing said cam means when said arm moves with said index member from its normal to its indexing position.
 5. The time switch in accordance with claim 4, and said spring means includes a spring fixed at one end and connected to said arm at its other end.
 6. The time switch in accordance with claim 5, and said index member having a detent extending axially therefrom toward said arm, said mounted end of said arm having an annular series of indents each being adapted to receive said detents; and means for axially biasing said index member toward said arm.
 7. The time switch in accordance with claim 6, and said drive means including a gear train having an output gear; said trip member having a gear in mesh with said output gear; and means for manually rotating said output gear independently of the rest of said gear train for manually operating said indexing means.
 8. The time switch in accordance with claim 7, and said gear train including another output gear; and said cam means including a gear adapted to mesh with said other gear and having a plurality of adjacent teeth removed therefrom providing a dwell defining the quiescent position of said cam means. 